Despite portraying an undercover Russian spy on The Americans, Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell were welcomed into the White House earlier this week for a State dinner in honour of the Singaporean Prime Minister.

Cardiff-born Rhys, who actually sat next to Michelle Obama at the dinner, told WalesOnline that he still can't believe his visit was real.

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"I have never been so nervous in my life," said Rhys, who is also known for his roles in Brothers & Sisters and The Edge of Love.

"The only thing anywhere near comparable was when I met Gareth Edwards.

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys at the White House

"It (meeting the Obamas) still feels totally surreal. When I found out I was sitting next to the First Lady, that's when my knees went, my mouth went dry and I though 'what on earth am I going to talk about?'"

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Luckily for the actor, who recently became a first-time dad to son Sam, Michelle Obama was the perfect host.

"She's exactly the person she is in public and she and the President are very engaging and very charming. I honestly still can't believe it. I was looking back at all the photos and thinking 'I think it's photoshopped.'

"My sister Rachel had the best reaction, she said, 'what are YOU going to talk to them about?'"